Scholarship recipient Rani Hameid lands his dream job after college

April 16, 2026

Rani Hameid took advantage of every opportunity during college to grow personally and professionally and, as a result, he’s earned the job he always wanted.

Rani, a Meeting Street Scholarship recipient, will graduate with a degree in biosystems engineering from Clemson University in May and start working as an engineering analyst at Kimley-Horn, one of the nation’s top-ranked engineering and planning firms.

“Landing this job out of college has been an amazing feeling,” Rani said. “I have worked very hard to get an engineering position, and I can honestly say this is my dream job out of college.”

As a student at West Ashley High School, Rani’s plan was to attend a two-year community college then transfer to save money. He didn’t think he could afford tuition at a school such as Clemson, but that changed when he earned the Meeting Street Scholarship. 

“After I learned about the Scholarship, I realized I could pursue my dream regardless of the budget,” Rani said. “It completely changed my plans for my education and my future.”

At Clemson, Rani immersed himself in campus life and took on leadership roles. He was a residential community leader, an event planner for the Middle Eastern Student Association and chair for professional development for the Biosystems Engineering Club. He also served as a campus ambassador and leader for the Meeting Street Scholarship.

Not only did the Meeting Street Scholarship give Rani the chance to enjoy a full college experience without financial pressure, but it also helped him connect with other recipients. 

“Creating that community and being active in those leadership roles – that’s a really good way to find your circle and make sure it’s a good environment for not only you, but also the other people to grow as well,” Rani said.

Through the Scholarship, Rani gained confidence as a leader, and he was able to network. That’s how he met one of his mentors, Dr. Tia Dumas, associate vice president for strategic alliances at Clemson University.

What began as meetings about the Meeting Street Scholarship and how recipients are navigating campus life eventually led to discussions around Rani’s goals and career next steps.

“She was essential to my job search, as she helped me decide whether to pursue grad school or the industry,” Rani said.

Tia said one thing about Rani that stands out is the vibrant and joyful energy that he brings to every space.

“He is a true self-starter, someone who doesn’t wait for opportunities but actively seeks them out and follows through,” Tia said. “He is willing to step into new experiences, ask questions and take risks that support his personal and professional development.” 

That resilience showed up when Rani was searching for an internship. He initially interviewed with Kimley-Horn but was not selected for the position. Instead of being discouraged by that first rejection, Rani said he used it as a learning experience and reflected on what he could improve. 

A year later, he approached his interview for the full-time role with more confidence, he said. His willingness to step outside his comfort zone helped him secure the engineering analyst role.

“Rani doesn’t shy away from challenges; he leans into them, and I’m confident he will make a meaningful impact wherever he goes,” Tia said. 

Rani said he’s eager to learn all about the field and is ready to push himself.

“I’ve been around Clemson, I’ve learned Clemson, and I feel ready for that next chapter and to see what else is out there for me to do,” he said. 

Categories: Scholarship Recipients